Before you is a complete translation of the great classical treatise “Thalaathat-ul-Usool” [The Three Fundamental Principles] of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab. The source used for this translation was a booklet with the title “The Creed of the Saved Sect” printed by Maktab-ul-Islamee in 1993 [5th Edition] with checking by Zuhair Shawaish. This book is not to be confused with “al-Usool-uthThalaatha” which is another work written by Imaam Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab.

This treatise needs no introduction, as it is one of the Islamic works that is most studied and taught throughout the world. In fact, many of the scholars recommend the students of knowledge to begin their path of learning by studying and mastering this booklet. The reason for this is because it was written by the author in a simple manner and comprising of the basic fundamentals of this Religion in brief. The material contained in the treatise was designed to be easily memorized and understood.

It is our intent, by producing this treatise, to provide the English audience with the source of this tremendous work so that they may study it in gatherings and use it as a reference. There are several explanations available for “The Three Fundamental Principles” that were written in recent times, such as that of Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen, Shaikh Zayd Al-Madkhalee and Shaikh Saalih Aali Shaikh.

Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that we are obligated to learn four matters:

First: Knowledge, which means: awareness of Allaah, awareness of His Prophet, and awareness of the Religion of Islaam, based on evidences.

Second: Acting on this.

Third: Calling to it.

Fourth: Patience with the harm that befalls due to it.

The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. By the time! Verily mankind is at loss – except for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, and advise one another towards the truth and advise one another towards patience.” [Surah Al-‘Asr]

Ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Had Allaah not sent down a proof to His creation other than this surah (chapter), it would have been sufficient for them.”

Al-Bukhaaree, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Chapter: Knowledge comes before speech and action.”

The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“So know that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, and seek forgiveness for your sins.” [Surah Muhammad: 19]

So He began by mentioning knowledge before speech and action.

Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female to learn and act upon the following three things:

First: That Allaah created us, provided sustenance for us, and did not leave us neglected. Rather, He sent a Messenger to us. So whoever obeys him will enter Paradise, whereas whoever disobeys him will enter the Hellfire.

The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“Verily, We sent to you a Messenger, to be a witness over you, just as we sent a Messenger to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh disobeyed the Messenger (i.e. Moosaa) so We seized him with a severe punishment” [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 15-16]

Second: Allaah is not pleased with anyone being mixed into worship with Him – neither an angel brought close nor a prophet that was sent.

The proof for this is:

“And verily the masaajid belong to Allaah, so do not call unto anyone along with Allaah.” [Surah Al-Jinn: 18]

Third: Whoever obeys the Messenger (i.e. Muhammad) and singles Allaah out (in worship), it is not permissible for him to take as allies those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, not even if they are close relatives.

The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even if they are their fathers or their sons or their brothers or there kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh(light and guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily it is the party of Allaah that will be the successful.” [Surah Al-Mujaadilah: 22]

Know, may Allaah grant you the ability to obey Him, that Al-Haneefiyyah, the Religion of Ibraaheem, is that you worship Allaah alone, making the religion sincerely (i.e. solely) for Him. This is what Allaah ordered all of mankind to do, and this is the purpose for which He created them, as Allaah says:

“And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Surah AdhDhaariyaat: 56]

The meaning of “to worship Me” is “to single Me out (in worship).”

The greatest thing that Allaah commanded is Tawheed, which means: Singling Allaah out in worship. And the greatest thing that Allaah warned against is Shirk, which is: Supplicating to others along with Him.

So if it said to you: What are the three fundamental principles that mankind is obligated to know?

Then say: That the servant knows his Lord, his Religion and his Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be on him.

The First Fundamental Principle:

So if it is said: Who is your Lord?

Then say: My Lord is Allaah, the One who nurtured me and nurtured all of creation through His favors. And He is the One whom I worship, there being to me no (false) deity worshipped that is equal to Him.

The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“All praise be to Allaah, Lord of the ‘Alameen (i.e. all of creation).” [Surah AlFaatihah: 1]

The word ‘Aalam refers to everything apart from Allaah, and I am part of that creation. So if it is said to you: How did you come to know of your Lord?

Then say: By way of His signs and His creations. And among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. And among His creations are the seven (levels of) heaven and the seven (levels of) earth, as well as whoever [and whatever] lies in them and between them. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“And from among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate yourselves to the sun or to the moon, but rather prostrate yourselves to Allaah who created them, if it is He whom you truly worship.”[Surah Fussilat: 37]

And His statement:

“Verily, your Lord is Allaah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then rose over the Throne. He brings the night as a cover over the day, which it follows rapidly. And He made the sun, the moon and the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, to Him belongs the Creation and the Command. Blessed is Allaah, Lord of the Worlds.” [Surah Al-A’raaf: 54]

The word Rabb (Lord) means One who is worshipped. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“O mankind! Worship your Lord who created you and those before you, so that you may be dutiful to Him. He is the One who made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. So do no set up rivals with Allaah in worship knowingly.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 21-22]

Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The creator of these things is the One who truly deserves to be worshipped.”

The types of worship that Allaah commanded, such as Islaam, Eemaan and Ihsaan, which includes: Supplication (Du’aa), Fear (Khawf), Hope (Rajaa), Reliance (Tawakkul), Longing (Raghbah) and Dreading (Rahbah), Submissiveness (Khushoo’), Awe (Khashyah), Repentance (Inaabah), Seeking Assistance (Isti’aanah), Seeking Refuge (Isti’aadhah), Asking for Help (Istighaathah), Offering Sacrifices (Dhabah), Making Oaths (Nadhar) and all of the other types of worship that Allaah commanded – all of these belong to Allaah, alone. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“And the masaajid belong to Allaah, so do not call unto anyone along with Allaah.” [Surah Al-Jinn: 18]

So whoever directs any part of these (acts of worship) to other than Allaah, then he is a polytheist, disbeliever. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“And whoever calls unto another god besides Allaah, of which he has no proof for, his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely, the disbelievers will not be successful.” [Surah Al-Mu’minoon: 117]

It is stated in a hadeeth: “The supplication is the core of worship.” [1]

The proof for this (i.e. supplication) is Allaah’s saying:

“And your Lord says: ‘Supplicate to Me, I will respond to you. Verily those who are to proud to worship Me will enter the Hellfire in disgrace.’”[Surah Ghaafir: 60]

The proof for Fear (khawf) is Allaah’s saying:

“So do not fear them, but fear Me if you are true believers.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan:175]

The proof for Hope (Rajaa) is Allaah’s saying:

“So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, then let him perform righteous deeds, and not mix anyone into the worship of his Lord.” [Surah Al-Kahf: 110]

“And whoever relies upon Allaah, then He is sufficient for Him.” [Surah At-Talaaq:3]

The proof for Longing (Raghbah) and Dreading (Rahbah) and Submissiveness (Khusoo’) is Allaah’s saying:

“Verily, they used to rush to do good deeds, and they would call on Us, longing (His reward) and dreading (His punishment), and they used to humble themselves submissively before Us.”[Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 90]

The proof for Awe (Khashyah) is Allaah’s saying:

“So do not be in awe of them, but have awe of Me.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 150]

The proof for Repentance (Inaabah) is Allaah’s saying:

“And turn to your Lord in repentance and submit to Him (as Muslims).”[Surah Az-Zumar: 54]

The proof for Seeking Assistance (Isti’aanah) is Allaah’s saying:

“You alone do we worship and in You alone do we seek assistance.” [Surah AlFaatihah: 4]

And in the hadeeth: “When you ask for assistance then seek assistance in Allaah.” [02]

The proof for Seeking Refuge (Isti’aadhah) is Allaah’s saying:

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak.”[Surah Al-Falaq: 1] And:

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Mankind.” [Surah An-Naas: 1]

The proof for Asking for Help (Istighaathah) is Allaah’s saying:

“And remember when you sought help from your Lord and He responded to you…” [Surah Al-Anfaal: 9]

The proof for offering sacrifices (Dhabah) is Allaah’s saying:

“Say: Verily my prayer, my sacrificial offerings, my living and my dying are for Allaah, Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.” [Surah Al-An’aam: 162-163]

And from the Sunnah is: “May Allaah curse the one who offers a sacrifice to other than Allaah.” [03]

The proof for Making Oaths (Nadhar) is Allaah’s saying:

“They are those who fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread.” [Surah Al-Insaan: 7]

The Second Fundamental Principle:

Knowing the Religion of Islaam, based on evidences. This (i.e. Islaam) means submitting to Allaah by way of Tawheed, surrendering one’s (full) obedience to Him, and absolving oneself from Shirk and its people. This can be divided into three levels:

1. Islaam
2. Eemaan, and
3. Ihsaan

Each one of these levels has its own pillars.

The Level of Islaam:

The pillars of Islaam are five:

The testimony that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah;

Establishing the Prayer;

Giving the Zakaat;

Fasting in Ramadaan;

Performing Hajj to Allaah’s Sacred House.

The proof for the testimony of Faith is Allaah’s saying:

“Allaah bears witness that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Him, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He is always maintaining His creation with justice. None has the right to be worshipped but Him – the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”[Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 18]

The meaning of it (i.e. the testimony of Faith) is: There is no one that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone. Laa Ilaaha negates everything that is worshipped besides Allaah, while IllaaAllaah affirms the worship of only Allaah, free from any partner being mixed in with His worship, just as there is no partner mixed in with His Dominion.

An explanation of this, which will clarify it further, is found in Allaah’s saying:

“And remember when Ibraaheem said to his father and to his people: ‘Verily, I am free from all that you worship – except for He who created Me, and verily He will guide me.’ And He made it a statement that will endure among his offspring that they may turn back to.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 26-28]

And Allaah’s saying:

“Say: ‘O People of the Scripture (i.e. Jews and Christians)! Come to a word that is just between us and you – that we worship none but Allaah alone and that we associate no partners with Him; and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah.’ Then if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 64]

The proof for testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah is His saying:

“Verily there has come to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be guided) and he is full of kindness and mercy towards the believers.” [Surah AtTawbah: 128]

The meaning of testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah is: Obeying him in what he has commanded, believing him in what he has informed us of, avoiding what he forbade and warned against, and not worshipping Allaah except by what he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) prescribed.

The proof for Prayer and Zakaat and the explanation of Tawheed is found in Allaah’s saying:

“And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allaah, making the religion (i.e. worship) solely for Him alone, and that they should perform the prayer and give the Zakaat. And that is the right Religion.” [Surah Al-Bayyinah: 5]

The proof for Fasting is Allaah’s saying:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for those before you, in order that you may acquire Taqwaa (dutifulness to Allaah).” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 183]

The proof for Hajj is Allaah’s saying:

“And the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah for those who are able to do it. And whoever disbelieves (by denying Hajj), then indeed Allaah is not in need of any of His creation.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 97]

The Level of Eemaan:

Eemaan consists of more than seventy branches. The highest of them is saying Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah and the lowest of them is moving a harmful object from the road. And Hayaa (modesty) is a branch from Eemaan. [04]

Its pillars are six:

That you believe in Allaah,

His angels,

His books,

His Messengers,

the Last Day, and that you believe in

Al-Qadar (Divine PreDecree) – the good of it and the bad of it.

The proof for these six pillars is Allaah’s statement:

“Righteousness (birr) is not that you turn your faces towards the east and the west (in prayer), but rather righteousness (birr) is (for) the one who believes in Allaah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets.” [Surah AlBaqarah: 177]

And the proof for Al-Qadar (Pre-Decree) is Allaah’s saying:

“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (divine pre-decree ordained for it).” [Surah Al-Qamar: 49]

The Level of Ihsaan:

Ihsaan is one pillar, which means: To worship Allaah as if you see Him, but even if you don’t see Him, He indeed sees you. [05]

The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“Verily, Allaah is with those who have Taqwaa (dutifulness to Allaah) and those who have Ihsaan.” [Surah An-Nahl: 128]

And His saying:

“And put your trust in the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful, who sees you when you stand up (for prayer at night), and (who sees) your movements among those who prostrate themselves (to Him). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Ash-Shu’araa: 217-220]

And His saying:

“There is no deed that you (O Muhammad) do, nor any portion of the Qur’aan that you recite, nor any deed that you (humans) do, except that We are witnesses to it, whilst you are doing it.” [Surah Yoonus: 61]

The proof from the Sunnah is the famous hadeeth of Jibreel, which is reported from ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab (رضي الله عنه) who said: “One day we were sitting with the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) when there appeared to us a man with extremely white garments and extremely black hair. No trace of journeying could be seen on him nor did any amongst us recognize him. Then he sat in front of the Prophet, lining up his knees with his (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) knees and placing his palms upon his (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) thighs, and said: ‘O Muhammad, inform me about Islaam.’ So he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘It is that you testify that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And that you establish the prayer, give the Zakaat, fast during Ramadaan and perform the Hajj (pilgrimage) to (Allaah’s) House, if you are able to do it.’ He said: ‘You have spoken truthfully.’ So we were amazed that he had asked him and then told him that he was truthful.

Then he said: ‘Now inform me about Eemaan.’ So he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘It is that you believe in Allaah, His angels, His (revealed) books, His messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in Al-Qadar, the good of it and the bad of it.’ He said: ‘You have spoken truthfully. Now inform me about Ihsaan.

He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘It is that you worship Allaah as if you see Him, but even though you don’t see Him, He indeed sees you.’

He then said: ‘Now inform me about the (Final) Hour.’ He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘The one who is being asked does not have any more knowledge of it than the one who is asking.’ He said: ‘So then inform me about its signs.’ He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘It will be when the mother gives birth to her (female) master, when the barefooted, barren and lowly shepherds will compete with one another in constructing tall buildings.’

Then he left and we remained (seated) there for a while. Then he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?’ I said: ‘Allaah and His Messenger know best.’ He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: ‘That was Jibreel who came to you to teach you your Religion.’”

The Third Fundamental Principle

Knowledge of your Prophet, Muhammad: He is Muhammad, the son of ‘Abdullaah, the son of ‘Abdul-Mutallib bin Haashim. Haashim was from the (the tribe of) Quraysh and Quraysh was from the Arabs. And the Arabs are from the offspring of (Prophet) Isma’eel, son of (Prophet) Ibraaheem. May Allaah send the best of His peace and blessings on him and on our Prophet (Muhammad) (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم).

He lived for sixty-three years, forty of which was prior to his prophethood and twentythree of which he spent as a prophet, messenger. He became a prophet due to (Allaah’s saying): ْ“ اقْرَأ Read” [Surah ‘Alaq: 1] and a messenger due to: ُيَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّر “O you wrapped in garments.” [Surah Al-Muddathir: 1]

His homeland was Makkah, and he (later) migrated to Madeenah. Allaah sent him to warn against Shirk (polytheism) and to call to Tawheed (pure monotheism). The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“O you wrapped in garments. Rise and warn! And magnify your Lord (Allaah). And purify your garments. And abandon ar-rujz (idols). And do not give away something in order to have more. And be patient for the sake of your Lord.” [Surah Al-Muddathir: 1-7]

The meaning of: “Rise and warn” is warn against Shirk and call to Tawheed. “And magnify your Lord” means glorify Him by way of Tawheed. “And purify your garments” means cleanse your actions from Shirk. “And abandon ar-rujz.” “Rujz” means statues, and “Abandon” means leave them and free yourself from them and those who worship them. He remained doing this for ten years, calling the people to Tawheed. And after ten years, he was ascended up to the heaven, where the five daily prayers were made obligatory on him. So he prayed in Makkah for three years and thereafter, he was ordered to make the Hijrah (migration) to Madeenah.

Hijrah means Moving from a land of Shirk to a land of Islaam. It is obligatory upon this ummah to migrate from a land of Shirk to a land of Islaam, and this is everlasting until the (Final) Hour is established. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (by not performing Hijrah), they (angels) will say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They will reply: ‘We were weak and oppressed in the earth.’ They (angels) will say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to migrate therein?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell – what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, and women and children – who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. These are the ones whom Allaah is (most) likely to forgive, and Allaah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Most Forgiving.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 97-99]

Al-Baghawee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The reason for the revelation of this ayah was due to some Muslims who had resided in Makkah and did not migrate (to Madeenah). Allaah called out to them using the title of Eemaan (for them).”

The proof for Hijrah from the Sunnah is his (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) saying: “Hijrah will not cease until repentance ceases. And repentance will not cease (to be accepted) until the sun rises from where it sets (i.e. the west).” [07]

So when he settled in Madeenah, he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) commanded all of the remaining Laws of Islaam, such as Zakaat, Fasting, Hajj, Adhaan, Jihaad, commanding good and forbidding evil, as well as the other laws of Islaam. He remained doing this for ten years, and then passed away, peace and blessings of Allaah be on him, while his Religion remained.

This was his Religion – there was no good except that he directed his ummah towards it, and there was no evil except that he warned them against it. The good that he directed his ummah to was: Tawheed and everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with. The evil that he warned his ummah about was: Shirk and everything that Allaah hates and rejects.

Allaah sent him to all of mankind, and He made it an obligation upon everyone from the two species of Jinn and mankind to obey him. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“Say: ‘O people! Verily, I am the Messenger of Allaah sent to all of you.’”[Surah Al-A’raaf: 158]

Allaah perfected and completed his Religion through him (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم). The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“This day [08] I have completed your Religion for you, and perfected my Favor upon you. And I am pleased with Islaam as a Religion for you.”[Surah Al-Maa’idah: 3]

The proof that he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) died is Allaah’s saying:

“You will surely die and they too will surely die. Then on the Day of Recompense, you will be disputing before your Lord.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 30-31]

When people die they will be resurrected. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“From it (the earth) We created you, and to it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” [Surah TaHa: 55]

And Allaah’s saying:

“Allaah has brought you forth from the earth. Afterwards, He will return you into it and (then) bring you forth (once again, i.e. resurrection).”[Surah Nooh: 17-18]

After being resurrected, they will be judged and recompensed for their actions. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“And to Allaah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may recompense those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. Hellfire), and reward those who do good with what is best (i.e. Paradise).” [Surah An-Najm: 31]

Whoever rejects the resurrection, disbelieves. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“The disbelievers claim they will never be resurrected. Say (O Muhammad): ‘Yes, by my Lord! You will certainly be resurrected then you will be informed of what deeds you did.’ And that is easy for Allaah.” [Surah At-Taghaabun: 7]

Allaah sent all of the messengers, giving good tidings and warning. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“Messengers bearing good news and warning – in order that mankind could have no plea against Allaah after (the coming of) the Messengers.” [Surah AnNisaa: 165]

The first of them was Nooh and the last of them was Muhammad, who was the Seal of
the Prophets.

The proof that Nooh was the first of them is Allaah’s saying:

“Verily, We sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad), just as We sent the revelation to Nooh and the prophets after him.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 163]

Every nation that Allaah sent a messenger to, from Nooh up to Muhammad, he (i.e. the messenger) would command them to worship Allaah alone and forbid them from worshipping the Taaghoot. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“And We have indeed sent a messenger to every nation (saying): ‘Worship Allaah (alone) and avoid the false deities (Taaghoot).”[Surah An-Nahl: 36]

Allaah obligated all of His servants to disbelieve in the Taaghoot and believe in Allaah. Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The meaning of Taaghoot is someone or thing for whose sake a worshipper transgresses limits, such as those who are worshipped, followed or obeyed.”

The Tawaagheet (pl. of Taaghoot) are many, but their heads are five:

(1) Iblees (the Devil), may Allaah curse him;
(2) whoever is worshipped while being pleased with that;
(3) whoever calls the people to worship himself;
(4) whoever claims to have knowledge of the Unseen, and
(5) whoever rules by other than what Allaah has revealed.

The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“There is no compulsion in the Religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. So whoever disbelieves in the Taaghoot and believes in Allaah, then he has taken hold of the firmest handhold that will never break. And Allaah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 256]

This is what is meant by the statement Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah.

And in the hadeeth: “The head of the matter is Islaam and its main pillar is the Prayer. And its highest part is Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah.” [09]

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send His peace and blessings on Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

[End of the Treatise]

Footnotes:

[01]Reported by At-Tirmidhee with a weak chain of narration. However it is authentically reported from An-Nu’maan bin Basheer with the wording: “The supplication is worship.” This was reported by Ahmad (18351), At-Tirmidhee and others with an authentic chain of narration. Refer to Saheeh alJaami’-us-Sagheer (3407) as well as Da’eef al-Jaami’-us-Sagheer (3003), both from Imaam AlAlbaanee, rahimahullaah.

[02] An authentic hadeeth based on its several paths of narration, reported by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhee.

The first part of it is: “O young lad. I will teach you some words: Safeguard Allaah and you will find Him before you; If you ask (for something), then ask (it from) Allaah; and when you ask for assistance, then seek assistance in Allaah.”

The remainder of the hadeeth as occurs in al-Mishkaat (5302) is: “And know that if the ummah were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not be able to benefit you except with something that Allaah has already written for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you except with something that Allaah has already written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” Refer to Saheeh al-Jaami’-us-Sagheer (7957) and Saheeh Sunan AtTirmidhee (2043) of Imaam Al-Albaanee, rahimahullaah.

[03] This is a portion of a hadeeth found in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of ‘Alee (رضي الله عنه). The complete hadeeth reads: “May Allaah curse the one who curses his father. And may Allaah curse the one who offers a sacrifice to other than Allaah. And may Allaah curse the one who accommodates an innovator.” This hadeeth is found in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (no. 953 and 1305). Also refer to Saheeh Sunan An-Nasaa’ee (4119)

[04] This is based on an agreed upon hadeeth; i.e. reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

[05] Part of a hadeeth reported by Muslim on the authority of ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) and by Al-Bukhaaree from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه).

[06] An authentic hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim

[07]Reported by Ahmad (16882) and Abu Dawood (See Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood: 2166). The second part of it is found in Saheeh Muslim from the narration of Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه).

[08]Translator’s Note: What is meant by “This Day” is the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), which occurred on the Day of ‘Arafah after ‘Asr during the Prophet’s farewell pilgrimage. This is what has been related in the Saheeh of Imaam Al-Bukhaaree from ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab (رضي الله عنه).

[09] Reported by At-Tabaraanee from Mu’aadh with the wording: “The head of this matter is Islaam. And whoever submits to Islaam is saved. Its main pillar is the Prayer. And its highest part is Jihaad. No one will attain it except for the best amongst them.” This is a weak hadeeth. Refer to Da’eef al-Jaami’-us-Sagheer (3077).

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